By Michael GallagherShareNewsweek is a Trust Project memberAs the Alabama Crimson Tide prepare for the rival Auburn Tigers ahead of Saturday’s Iron Bowl, the team received a bit of disconcerting news.
A win over Auburn will punch the Tide's ticket to the SEC Championship Game and possibly lock them into a spot in the 12-team College Football Playoff.
Alabama boasts a top-25 scoring offense (33.8 points per game) that also ranks ninth in passing (292.5 yards per game) and averages 415.7 yards of total offense per contest, and that success could lead to the team losing one of its key offensive staffers to a promotion with another team.
According to Matt Zentiz of CBS Sports, Crimson Tide co-offensive coordinator KaMarcus Shephard is a top candidate to land a head-coaching job in the Pac-12.
More News: $15 Million Head Coach Accepts Major SEC Job: Report
...More News: Urban Meyer Predicts Winner of Ohio State-Michigan
“Oregon State is targeting Alabama co-offensive coordinator and wide receivers coach JaMarcus Shephard to be its new head coach, sources tell @CBSSports,” Zenitz wrote on X.
The 42-year-old Shephard has been with Alabama since 2024, where he’s served as wide receivers coach, co-offensive coordinator, and assistant head coach to Kalen DeBoer.
Under his guidance, junior quarterback Ty Simpson is enjoying a breakout season, passing for 2,934 yards, 22 touchdowns and just four interceptions. He ranks 13th in the country in passing yards and 20th in touchdowns, and he’s among a handful of favorites for the Heisman Trophy.
...More News: High-Profile Head Coach Turned Down Penn State Job: Report
Shephard’s work with Simpson has also helped put him in the discussion to be the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL draft.
His resume also boasts an assistant head coach/pass-game coordinator role with Washington during it’s national championship runner-up finish in 2023, and he spent five years at Purdue before that as the pass-game coordinator and co-offensive coordinator for the Boilermakers.
Shephard is expected to replace Trent Bray, who was fired back in October after an 0-7 start. He compiled a 5-14 record in two seasons with the Beavers.
More News: Auburn Expected to Hire Coveted Head Coach: Report
Request Reprint & LicensingSubmit CorrectionView Editorial & AI Guidelines
Add Newsweek as a preferred source on Google to see more of our trusted coverage when you search.Recommended For You
NCAAUrban Meyer Predicts Winner of Ohio State-Michigan3 min read
NCAAJoyce Edwards, South Carolina Shine in Dominant Win Over Duke3 min read
NCAARori Harmon’s Monster Game Helps Texas Survives UCLA, Reach Players Era Final3 min read
NCAALSU Takes Crucial Step Before Announcing Next Coach3 min read
NCAAOle Miss Makes Final Decision on Lane Kiffin for College Football Playoff2 min read
NCAA$15 Million Head Coach Accepts Major SEC Job: Report2 min readRelated Podcasts
Top Stories
NewsNational Guard Member Sarah Beckstrom Dead After DC Shooting2 min read
NewsUncommon Knowledge: Trump, Biden and the Real Record of Afghan Vetting5 min read
NewsWinter Storm Map Shows Areas Possibly Getting Hit for Thanksgiving3 min read
TravelSuspect Held in Killing of American in Tobago3 min read
NewsDHS Orders Review of Green Cards After D.C. Guard Shooting4 min read
NewsFact Check: Did 20 Million Illegal Immigrants Enter US Under Joe Biden?4 min readTrending
New York8 Million Inflation Refund Checks Sent Out Ahead of Thanksgiving4 min read
DogsAfter 2 Days at Daycare, German Shepherd’s Return Goes Viral: ‘Never Again’3 min read
WeatherWinter Storm Map Shows Where Up to 12 Inches of Snow Could Strike3 min read
ThanksgivingList of Fast Food and Restaurants Open on Thanksgiving Day 20253 min read
CatholicPope Leo Updates Marriage Rules for 1.4 Billion Catholics3 min readOpinion
OpinionConventional Wisdom: The Anti-Thanksgiving Edition3 min read
OpinionHow to Remain Grounded and Thankful Amid the Chaos5 min read
OpinionThis Thanksgiving, Affordability Isn’t Just About the Turkey. It’s Everyday, Every Bill, Every Choice | Opinion4 min read
OpinionINTERPOL Must Not Elect One of Its Chief Abusers As Its Next President | Opinion4 min read
OpinionWhy We Care About Turkey Costs | Opinion5 min read
